MIMF

I know brass is used for bass nuts. Would aluminum be a good material? I am asking because I have some aluminum bar stock which is about the right size.

Aluminium was used by Vox in the mid 20th century in conjunction with a zero fret.

I have used aluminum, it works well. It buffs up real pretty too.

Danelectro have used aluminium for nuts. It does tend to gall a bit and can cause the wound strings to stick a bit, but nothing too bad. It does look cool!

I have used for nuts and saddles. Besides what the guys mentioned above, you may remember those nuts are harder on the files, too.